A Smart, Substantial Upgrade
Version 2.0 quietly rebuilds Super Mario Bros. Wonder into the game many hoped it would be at launch. Priced as a $20 upgrade for existing owners or bundled in the $80 Switch 2 package, this Nintendo Switch 2 Edition fixes core pain points, adds meaningful endgame challenge, and introduces a playground of multiplayer modes that squeeze new ideas out of Wonder’s already brilliant toolkit.
Bellabel Park is the new hub for all of it, opening after just a few stages in the main story. Even if you show up solo, there’s plenty to chew on, but with friends the place lights up. Under the hood, improved graphics and performance make that painterly art direction and those expressive animations pop—stages look cleaner, input feels snappier, and the whole thing carries itself like a showpiece for Switch 2.
Wonder’s foundation remains superb. Movement is tight, badges are fun to route around, and every run still nudges you to play a little bolder. This upgrade doesn’t just add more levels; it reframes how you use those systems, often in playful, demanding ways.
Koopalings Finally Shine
The biggest course correction lands with the new Koopaling boss battles. Each of the seven siblings gets juiced with Wonder Power, and the results are far more inventive than the old "jump on their head three times" routine. Wendy transforms into a giant Cheep Cheep and floods the arena with enemies through portals. Morton becomes a massive puppet, swatting from the background while you scramble along ropes.
Badge choice actually matters now. Swapping in the Crouching High Jump to tag Morton’s ropes faster gave me a tangible edge, and several encounters reward that kind of prep. Later, remixed hard-mode versions raise the bar even higher; a few of these took multiple attempts, which is not something I often say about 2D Mario bosses. Calling this "the best lineup of bosses in any 2D Mario game" doesn’t feel like hyperbole.